First-person essays about love, family, work, community and culture in Minnesota.

Junior and Daniela live in a tent in the Lyndale neighborhood, not far from the I-35 ramp.

Meet the tent dwellers on my Minneapolis block: 'We have children, you know'

The encampment has been a source of tension in my neighborhood — and in my own home.

10,000 Takes

I'm single and I love it, but Minnesotans don't seem to believe me

July 10

The author celebrated her 30th birthday.

In Minnesota, the average age of a bride is 26.9. It's just not socially acceptable to be unmarried past age 28.

10,000 Takes

My annual obsession with finding (and blasting) summer's hottest song

July 3

An annual quest seeks the single track that captures our national mood.

Inspired

September 1

Steve Aggergaard with his found wallet at the State Fair.

How a lost wallet at the State Fair renewed my faith in Minnesotans

I figured somebody had picked my pocket.

Variety

May 24

In this 1989 file photo, cars filled with weekend travelers line up on 6th Street in Brainerd.

A local's take on Up North weekenders: 'It really felt like an invasion'

I grew up on Lake Mille Lacs, where locals like me had a complicated relationship with our big-city visitors.

Music

March 5

Justin Timberlake performed during halftime at Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis.

What it was like to perform in 'chaotic' Super Bowl halftime show with J.T.

A clarinetist in the University of Minnesota's marching band was live with Justin Timberlake.

Super Bowl LII

January 30

Jared Goyette, right, with friend/fellow Eagles fan Brendan Woodcock.

Explaining Eagles fans to Minnesotans: We embrace our 'rough side'

It's true that the average Philadelphia sports fan has a chip on his shoulder. It's part of the way the city sees itself.

Variety

January 10

1975: Cowboys wide receiver Drew Pearson caught Roger Staubach’s “Hail Mary” pass as Vikings cornerback Nate Wright tumbled.

For this Vikings fan, Sunday's playoff game could repair wounds festering since 1970s

The Vikings have a shot at being the first NFL team to have home-field advantage for the Super Bowl. But for the team's fans, there's a lot more at stake than football.

Variety

December 22, 2017

A heaping helping of lutefisk was the star of a holiday dinner.

Newcomer gets her first whiff of a Minnesota holiday tradition

I was a young reporter assigned to cover the local lutefisk dinner. What could possibly go wrong?

Variety

November 22, 2017

The author’s heavenly (and hilarious) church lady cookbooks.

For Thanksgiving sides, this Minnesotan turns to heavenly (and hilarious) church lady cookbooks

My growing collection offers a glimpse into the past, with recipes for Creamed Green Beans and Snappy Tomatoes.

StarTribune